1999 BMW Z3M Coupé (E36/8)

Very much an oddball and all the better for it, the Z3M Coupé follows no model lineage and wasn't replaced when production ceased, but what a wonderful hiccup in the corporate product line this car was. The M Coupé housed the fabulous straight-six engine from the M3 in a smaller body based upon the two-seat Z3. There were three distinct iterations of the Z3M Coupe made for the UK-market over the model's short life. Until April 1999 the car was referred to as the S50 pre-facelift, between April 1999 and 2001 it's known as the S50 post-facelift, and between 2001 and 2002 it’s the S54 facelift car.

The main distinguishing feature is the engine used. The S50-engined car (321bhp) was built between 1998 and 2001 using motive power from the E36 M3 with the later S54-engined model (325bhp) adopting the power unit from the E46 M3 which was manufactured between 2001 and 2002.

Supplied new by Menzies Motors of Stirling in Estoril Blue with a two-tone blue/black leather interior with a contrasting black headlining, this S50-engined Z3M was first registered on New Years Day 1999. In addition to the normal specification, it benefits from many options and a few upgrades including a Harman Kardon stereo with a multi-disc CD player, air-conditioning, M Sport steering wheel, electric glass tilt sunroof, electric front mirrors and windows, heated front seats and side airbags, internal net luggage guard, retractable load cover and a battery master switch. The original toolkit remains in the boot.

It's been enjoyed by the current owner for 17 years with five previous keepers and is accompanied by its original dealers book pack and a large history file which contains the service book displaying nine service stamps, service invoices, historic invoices and every MOT Certificate from new (bar 2020-2021 due to COVID). The most recent service was on 22nd May 2019 (Inspection II) at BM Sport in Bexleyheath and the current MOT is valid until 16th May 2025. More recently (24th May 2024) a genuine BMW air-con compressor, fan belt, washer pump and new wipers were installed.

A couple of important points; at 20,903 miles, the ‘Instrument Cluster’ was changed under warranty by BMW Eastern, 29th June 2000. The engine was also changed under warranty by Menzies, 20th November 2000 at 24,629 miles (confirmation of both in the file). The mileage for the vehicle is 35,839, thus the total mileage is 56,742, meaning the current engine has only completed 32,113 miles.

This attractive Z3M is further enhanced by the addition of AC Schnitzer sports suspension supplied by BMW Park Lane and fitted on 7th May 2010 by BM Sport (Schnitzer CoA in the file) and the Schnitzer front 'splitters' and metal pedals were fitted by our vendor.

Having covered just 3,877 miles in our vendor's caring ownership, this sensibly guided, Schnitzer-enhanced, Estoril Blue Z3M Coupé is worthy of your close inspection at our Iconic Auctioneers Silverstone Festival Sale.